Hawks continue to build

Every year there are several question marks surrounding the Houston High football squad.

With factors such as graduation, every prep football program has its share of questions.

Small school programs such as Houston are often faced with more. With an answer to each question, Houston gets closer to building the football tradition they desire.

There is no question, however, that Taylor Richey will lead the Houston Hawks on both sides of the ball during the 2003 season. The only question surrounding Richey is, what won't he do? Richey, a small school All-State selection in 2002, could either be taking snaps, hand-offs or catching passes for the Houston offense.

"Taylor's a dynamic player who can do a lot of things," Houston head coach Mat Bredburg said. "The only person who can stop Taylor is Taylor." Richey will first contend for the quarterback position left vacant by graduated senior Peter Clemens. Richey saw time as quarterback last year. The fleet-footed Richey offered a different dimension to the Houston offense, that was normally led by the strong left arm of Clemens at the position.

Bredburg said there will be younger players who will compete with Richey for the position, but it is too early to tell who that might be.

If Bredburg and the Hawk coaching staff find a diamond in the rough, Richey will most likely move back to the wide receiver position where he has excelled throughout his high school career.

But if the Hawks can't find that person, Richey will be the man under center. "It doesn't do any good to have a man wide open if we can't get him the ball," Bredburg said.

One positive for the Hawk offense is its experience on the front line. Four starters are returning from last year. Leading the list is senior center J.D. Welch.

"J.D. is back and in shape," Bredburg said.

Welch was an All-Greatland Conference selection last year.

Also returning are sophomores Clinton Banzoff and Chris Minsch. The duo have the opportunity to be four-year starters for the Hawks, having started on the varsity offensive line as freshman.

"Our first year we had strong running backs, last year we had strong receivers and quarterback, this year we will have a strong line," Bredburg said.

One of the Hawks' top lineman from a year ago, Andrew Kappler, may be making the transition to fullback.

"He's an impressive kid," Bredburg said. "He's a leader, someone kids follow. "He's excited all the time and we are going to see what he can do at fullback."

After losing players such as Jed Martinson and Travis Smith, the Hawks may have a very young and possibly inexperienced backfield.

The Hawk coaching staff will be evaluating a host of newcomers as possibilities for the position.

Bredburg said he and his fellow Hawk coaches have had luck in the past with virtual unknowns coming in to fill positions and do well, and this year could be the same.

"We have been blessed at Houston," Bredburg said. "When we wonder what to do, take another angle, another group of kids comes up. We have got a bunch of young kids who show promise."

Richey will also be the leader on defense. The versatile athlete will lead the Hawk defense from a position in the defensive backfield.

Offensive line starters such as Welch, Banzoff and Minsch should also see time on the defensive front.

Kappler could be a force for the Hawks at either linebacker or on the line. The Hawks, who won the Greatland Conference and advanced to the small school state semifinals in 2002, will have a difficult road to the 2003 post-season.

New to the Greatland Conference is Eielson, who dropped out of the Northern Railbelt Conference to join the 3A league.

"Eielson is the team to beat," Bredburg said.

Houston not only has to face Eielson, but travel north to play the Ravens. Houston's schedule will also include another Fairbanks school. The Hawks will face West Valley at Houston High School during week two of the season.

One scheduling snafu has left the Hawks without a home game for their homecoming.

"Our schedule is so messed up," Bredburg said. "We are getting screwed out of a homecoming game."

Rather than being able to host a homecoming game, the Hawks will travel to Seward, Eielson and Kodiak during the school year.